Hike from Lund to Dalby on the St. Olof Trail: The route leads out of the city into hilly terrain. When the weather is good, you have a fantastic view from Hardeberga over the coastal plain to Malmö and the Öresund Bridge.
Later, the route passes through forests and Sweden's smallest national park.
Starting point: Lund Cathedral (Swedish: Lunds domkyrka)
Destination: Heligkorskyrkan in Dalby – via St. Knuts (Linero) and Hardeberga
Distance and time: 15 km, 5 hours
Address and contact details for accommodation
Lund: Winstrup Hostel, Winstrupsgatan 3, Lund, 222 22 Sweden, winstrupshostel.se, phone 0046 46 80900, five minutes from the cathedral, very good and extensive breakfast buffet in Creperiet, Klostergatan, opposite the Grand Hotel, price: about €40 per person.
Lund, Liberiet: Kungsgatan 5, Lund, 222 22 Sweden, lundsdomkyrka.se, overnight stay in shared accommodation for max. 8 persons with sleeping bag and mattress, shower and kitchen available, after telephone registration with the Lund Pilgrim Pastor, tel. 0046 71 8764.
Dalby: Contact for the parish: Pastor Per Lidbeck, tel. 0046 73 5174565, per.lidbeck@svenskakyrkan.se; parish worker Bianca Timm (German-speaking) tel. 0046 20 8600 or 0046 20 8610. The church is open from May to August from 9 am to 6 pm, September to April from 9 am to 4 pm.
Dalby: Dalby Gästis, Tingsvägen 6, Dalby, dalbygastis.se, tel. 0046 20 0006
Dalby: B & B, Klostret 5, Lundavägen 1, Dalby, monica.larn@gmail.com, tel. 0046 708 196059
Dalby: Klockaregårdens B & B, Länsmansvägen 3, Dalby, tel. 0046 20 1209
Useful information:
The Swedish pilgrim's pass can be obtained in Lund at the Pilgrim Office, Wednesday to Friday prayer in the crypt of the cathedral from 9 to 9:15 am. A very detailed map for the three stages in Sweden is provided by the Swedish Church:
www.pilgrimsvagen.se/wp-content/uploads/Lund-Dalby-Silvåkra.pdf
Lund Cathedral:
The oldest cathedral in Sweden was built in 1104 in the Romanesque style; the two towers were unadorned in the Middle Ages. The cathedral was a direct “descendant” of the Archbishopric of Bremen and the Bremen Cathedral. In the early Middle Ages (until the founding of the Archbishopric of Nidaros/Trondheim), Lund was the seat of the bishop for all of Scandinavia. All of Scandinavia means Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States and Pomerania.
In the Middle Ages, Lund was home to 27 churches, eight of which belonged to various monasteries. Only the cathedral, the associated cathedral school and the monastery church of St. Peter survived the Reformation. It was not until 1863 that the cathedral towers were given their present form.
Directions:
The route begins opposite the Liberiet Pilgrim Center on Dom Square and runs in a south-southeast direction along Kiliansgatan out of the old town. It passes the Botanical Garden and follows the bike path towards Linero/Dalby. Parks line part of the route. Via Übergang, cross the European route (E22) and turn right onto Vipeholmsvägen heading south, then left onto Hjalmar Gullbergs väg, then right onto Sandbyvägen. From there, follow the signs for Dalby/Linero.
The first stop is the church of St. Knut in the Linero development area. Right next to the church is the ICA supermarket for last-minute shopping.
St. Knut's Church (Lund, Linero district):
The church in the Linero district was designed by the Swedish architect Sten Samuelson (1926–2002) and inaugurated in 1973. In the style of the time, a second floor in the middle represents a stylized tower, the front is largely glazed over both floors. The building is made of exposed concrete.
Directions:
From St. Knuts, the route goes out of the city towards the east and up to Hardeberga. The gravel road leads straight through fields and hedges and up a hill. It is worth looking back every now and then. On a clear day, Lund lies at your feet and slightly to the left you can see Malmö and the Öresund Bridge, which connects Sweden with Denmark. Hardeberga kyrka is idyllically surrounded by a cemetery.
Hardeberga Kyrka (Hardeberga):
The white medieval church with the stepped gable on both sides of the tower is a landmark that can be seen from afar. It was possibly built at the end of the 12th century and later expanded. The tower dates from the late Middle Ages and also served as a defense tower. The frescoes inside were painted by Gottfrid Petterson in 1909.
Directions:
From the church, it is about seven kilometers to Dalby. To get there, leave the small settlement to the southeast and follow the signs for the bike path to Dalby. Pass the fish ponds of Rögle on the left and take the dirt road to Tygelsjö and from there to the Billebjer nature reserve. A small detour from the main road to the Billebjer lookout point is worthwhile.
The route leads past Sjöstorp and through Dalby Söderskog, which is probably the smallest national park in Europe. In Dalby, the Heligkorskyrka is easy to find.
Morning Prayer
Awaken me early with your goodness, and I will celebrate this day as a song of praise!
Lord, the sun rises. I get ready to leave. My way goes through strange streets and corridors.
I feel free, but foreign. People smile at me, sometimes curiously, sometimes knowingly. I am a pilgrim.
I don't know what the day will bring. How the weather will develop, what my sleeping place will look like. I am free from the normal demands of everyday life, but dependent on the hospitality of strangers and external circumstances that I cannot influence. I let go of my fears and trust in your goodness and provision. Amen.
Midday Prayer
At the height of the day, we pause. Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God, who is the center of our lives.
God, let us pause on our pilgrimage.
We are surrounded by your creation. Our gaze reaches far into the distance, and returns to our immediate surroundings. We see flowers and trees. We hear the birds. We perceive our fellow human beings and see them as willed and loved by you. Just as we see ourselves, as willed and loved by you.
You have given us all this abundance to care for, to preserve and to use for the good.
We thank you! Amen.
Evening Reflection
Do not worry about your life. Do not worry about your bread. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or gather or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father takes care of them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!
If God makes the wild flowers so beautiful, which bloom today and are hay tomorrow, won't he take much more care of you humans? Do you trust God so little?
Don't worry. Only people who don't know God let themselves be determined by such superficial things. God knows that you need all of this.
Work for the kingdom of God. Work for God's will to be done. And all the rest will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6)
Hike from Dalby to Börringekloster on the Mariavägen: the monasteries along this route are lined up like a string of pearls. In the old days, travelers could find accommodation along the way. The route was named after the pilgrimage church Fru Alstad (Fru Alstad stands for Mary, the mother of Jesus).
Starting point: Heligdomskyrka Dalby
Destination: Börringekloster
Distance and time: 31 km, 9 hours
Address and contact details for accommodation
Gödelöv (15 km): In Gödelöv there is a pilgrim shelter (sweden cottage) south of the church. However, without water and electricity, only usable with a mattress and sleeping bag, for up to four people. The door code must be requested by phone (Tel. 0046 48 0375). The key to the toilet at the cemetery is in the house.
Sturup (24 km): SturupAirport Hotel, Malmö Airport, 23032 Malmö/ Sturup, Tel. 0046 40 500570, www.sturupairporthotel.se, about 400 m from the pilgrimage route.
Useful information:
Dalbys supermarket Hemköp is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm. In Genarp, on Heckebergavägen, there is a cake shop (no. 16), a Coop supermarket (no. 13) and a cash machine (no. 3). There is a pharmacy at Lillegårdsvägen 6. The ICA supermarket is open daily from 8 am to 9 pm. There is also a supermarket and an ATM at Sturup Airport. Important! Supplies must be purchased for the next day, as there is no opportunity to shop between Börringekloster and Trelleborg. Today's route can be seen at
www.pilgrimsvagen.se/pilgrimsvagen/mariavagen
or at
www.pilgrimsvagen.se/wp-content/uploads/Börringekloster-Dalby.pdf.
Heligkorskyrka (Dalby):
The church dates from the 11th century, and may be older than Lund Cathedral, making it the oldest church in the Nordic countries. It is purely Romanesque in style. For a few years it was a bishop's see under the German bishop Egino (*unknown–1072), whose statue can be found in the church. The carefully restored interior, with its beautiful arches, crypt and harmoniously shaped baptismal font, is well worth seeing. The church is open daily: May–August 9 am–6 pm, September–April 9 am–4 pm.
Directions: From Dalby to Gödelöv Kyrka (15 km)
The pilgrimage route leads out of the city in an easterly direction. Passing Dalby's pizzeria on “Veberödsvägen”, the route turns left into “Östra Möllavägen”. At the cycle path, turn right into the tunnel. There are many walking and cycling paths here. At the first triangle, take the left-hand path and then the second path on the right – towards the playground – there is a red house on the right-hand side, then turn right at the triangle into the gravel path (bicycle and bridle path). Turn left on this road and pass the mill until you reach the orange markings of the “Skåneleden” on the right. Follow the “Skåneleden” to Lake Ugglarps, where the pilgrimage route turns right and passes through a forest area. Continue straight ahead and then turn right at the S Fästan junction towards Gödelöv.
Gödelöv Kyrka (Gödelöv):
In 1767, the church in Gödelöv was to be demolished by royal command. The mayor of Häckelberga had obtained this from the king. The workmen from Häckelberga arrived – and were driven away by the angry inhabitants of Gödelöv. Again and again the workmen tried, without success. Finally, the workers from Häckelberga came with the local and regional authorities. But again they were stopped by a large crowd of men, women and children who defended their church by throwing stones and drove the workers and authorities away again. Together with the local nobleman Fredrik Gyllenkrok of Björns torp, they sent a new request to the king and finally received an answer from Gustav III. They were allowed to keep their church. So this church from the 13th century still stands today thanks to the courage and resistance of the Gödelöver citizens.
From Gödelöv to Genarp Kyrka (2 km)
The route from Gödelöv to Genarp runs “from steeple to steeple”. From the main road, the path turns right into “Kyrkovägen” and a few meters further on you are standing in front of the next church.
Genarp Kyrka (Genarp):
Genarp did not have such brave citizens. The original Genarp church probably gave way to this new church during the Reformation around 1536. The baptismal font of the church comes from the ruins of the All Saints' Monastery in Lund and is dated to the 11th century.
Genarp to Börringekloster (14 km):
From “Kyrkovägen” the route runs into “Sandvägen”, which turns into the Risen nature reserve. From the parking lot in the reserve, follow the map there to the road. There the route rejoins the “Skåneleden”. From here on, an orange trail sign leads to Sturup Airport. From the airport, continue south on Västerlångvägen and then turn left onto Nötesjövägen. Before Nötesjö, the road turns right, passes the ruins of Börringe Church and crosses the E65 highway through a tunnel. The road is not signposted. It is advisable to use the map.
Prayer of Saint Bridget
Lord, show us your way and make us willing to walk in it.
Noon Meditation
At the height of the day, we pause. We come to rest. We put down our backpacks. We give our feet a break. We close our eyes and give thanks for the first part of the day. For conversations, encounters, small kindnesses. For the path we have traveled so far: inwardly and outwardly.
We follow our breathing, how it comes and goes. We send our breathing to where it hurts: to the feet, to the shoulders...
We perceive where our body is relaxed.
We feel the sun, the wind on our skin. We listen to the sounds around us.
We open our eyes and see what surrounds us. We give thanks.
Evening Reflection
At the end of this long day, I lay down everything that weighs me down. I let myself fall into God's hands. Full of trust that he cares for me. Full of trust that my sleep is deep and refreshing. Full of trust that tomorrow is also in God's hands. Thank you, God! Amen.
Hiking from Börringekloster to Trelleborg on the Mariavägen: The route from Börringekloster to Trelleborg passes through the fields of the coastal plain, interrupted only by small settlements. The church towers can be seen from afar. The landscape is open with a large sky.
Starting point: Börringekloster
Destination: ruins of the Holy Catherine monastery in Trelleborg
Distance and time: 27 km, 8 hours
Address and contact details for accommodation
Trelleborg: B&B Systrar och Bönor, Algatan 28 (pedestrian zone) Trelleborg, Tel. 0046 41 018767, systrarochbonor.se
Useful information:
Sturup Airport also has a supermarket and a cash machine.
Important:
You will need to stock up for the day, as there are no shops between Börringekloster and Trelleborg. If you want to spread out the stage, it is recommended that you walk to the country road (L101) and from there (Fru Alstadvägen station) take the 144 bus to Anderslöv Torget. The bus runs hourly from Monday to Saturday between 5 a.m. and midnight, and every two hours on Sundays. As a place to stay overnight, you could head for the inn at Anderslöv Tor- get. The next day, the pilgrimage route starts again at the Fru Alstadvägen bus station. Anderslöv has several shops (e.g. ICA is open daily 8 am–8 pm), restaurants and a pharmacy. Another option for dividing the stage is to travel with a sleeping bag and mattress. In Fru Alstad, right next to the churchyard, there is a sleeping facility on the Skåneleden, a half-open shelter with a wooden floor. The overnight accommodation is equipped with benches, a fireplace and a heated disabled toilet with warm water. The route across the coastal plain is relatively unprotected and exposed to wind and weather. It is advisable to have sun protection and weatherproof clothing ready. The Swedish Church provides a very detailed map:
www.pilgrimsvagen.se/wp-content/uploads/Trelleborg-Börringekloster.pdf.
Priory and castle (Börringekloster):
In the 11th century, Börringekloster was a Benedictine abbey for nuns dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After the Reformation, it lost its importance. When Skåne, under Danish rule, came to Sweden after the Peace of Roskilde in 1658, King Charles X Gustav gave the monastery to his son Gustaf Carlson. After 1745, the castle became the property of the BeckFriis family. Today, the 17th-century castle is privately owned and not open to the public. However, the monastery grounds can be visited. Outside the monastery, drinking water is available to fill your water bottle at the pump.
Directions:
The pilgrimage route leaves the monastery to the west. After about 800 meters, you will come to a fork in the road. Follow the winding asphalt road to the left. After a while, the road crosses a railroad track. Further on, you will come to a signpost for the remains of Lindholmen Castle, which are now overgrown with grass.
Lindholmen:
In the 14th century, Lindholmen was an important fortress for the Danish King Valdemar Atterdag and later for his daughter, Queen Margareta. In 1395, a grand political assembly was convened here, which two years later led to the peace treaty and the Kalmar Union, an alliance between the kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. From 1540, Lindholmen was closed down and its function was taken over by Malmöhus Fortress. Today, only a grass-covered mound of earth reminds us of this time.
Directions:
The pilgrimage route continues along the asphalt road over hilly meadows and fields. In some places, the path is not clearly visible, so be careful of oncoming cars. A few kilometers further on, the path turns left onto a busier country road towards Anderslöv, and then turns right onto “Lieholmvägen”. Do not follow the first sign for “Lieholmvägen”! At the turn-off, there is a sign for “Fru Alstad 4” together with a pilgrim route marking. From this turn-off, the route runs parallel to the Skåneleden trail again and is a gravel road. After about four kilometers, the route crosses the country road (L101) and leads to Fru Alstad church.
Church (Fru Alstad):
Inside the church, on the central pillar, are the signatures of numerous pilgrims from times gone by. To sign the church today, a guest book and prayer book are kept in a niche to the left of the altar. Fru Alstad Church is open weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. Outside of these times, it is recommended to contact the Anderslövs församling (tel. 0046 410 20225, svenskakyrkan.se/anderslov).
Directions:
From Fru Alstad, the pilgrimage route continues to follow the Skåneleden and its orange markings to the east of Trelleborg. This part of the route is usually very well marked. It is important to choose the direction of Fjärdingslöv at the Gislöv Fjärdingslöv signpost.
In Mellanköpinge, the pilgrimage route leaves the Skåneleden and turns left. There you pass the Gyllehögarna, several Bronze Age burial mounds. After “Mellankopingevägen” the route turns right into “Engelbrektsgatan”. Engelbrektsgatan crosses the M642 and then continues as a smaller road. Finally, the pilgrimage route turns left into Parkgatan and then immediately right into Ripagatan, then left into Skyrtgatan. At the parking lots, it continues right into Spåvägen. On the right-hand side is the Catholic Church of St. Katarina, which can be visited. Then turn left into “Vålldammsgatan”. Continue until you reach a large building with the inscription Trelleborg församling (Svenska Kyrka). The Lutheran St. Nicolai Church is located in the park behind this building. From there, continue left between the buildings to the old Torget with the Mikaelibrunnen and then to “Klostergård”. On the left-hand side are the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey of St. Catherine. The Swedish Mariavägen ends here. A few meters further on is the ferry port for the crossing to Sassnitz/Mukran.
St. Katharina monastery ruin (Trelleborg):
The large iron cross stands where the altar of the Franciscan monastery used to be. The monastery was founded in 1267 by the Grey Brothers (Swedish: Gråbröder). At that time, Trelleborg must have been large enough for the mendicant order to survive and for enough souls to seek spiritual guidance. The monastery's decline began even before the Reformation. In 1616, the king ordered the then already very neglected and dilapidated abbey to be demolished and the building material to be used for Lindholmen.
Information about the crossing
During the summer months, the fast ferry runs from Mukran to Trelleborg and back: frs-baltic.com
Otherwise, the Trelleborg-Rostock line and the train to Sassnitz must be used.
